Strong Quality, Beatbox Set for Rubber Match in Muniz

Rivalries make sports enthralling. Two sides battling for glory, either one able to snatch victory from the clutches of the other by the slightest of margins. Foes equally matched hoping the other falters just an inch to open their door for triumph. A rivalry has been brewing in the bayou this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and the 1 1/8-mile distance of the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) March 23 will act as the rubber match to determine who ends the meet as king of the New Orleans turf.

In one corner is Strong Quality . His strategy is no secret, break on the lead and take it as far as he can. The 5-year-old son of Quality Road   has hit the board in 13 of 17 starts, including five victories. Owners Gary Barber and Kinsman Stable have been rewarded by their speedster to the tune of $508,545. He has faced some stellar competition, with champion Up to the Mark   and grade 1 winners Set Piece , Santin , and Adhamo  appearing in his running lines.

In the other corner is Beatbox . Also a 17-time starter, he has hit the board 11 times with six victories, earning owners Rob Comestro and Jeff Ganje a total of $410,248. Able to adjust his running style, the 6-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile is as honest as they come. Although having not participated at the highest level like his rival, he has seen tough competition in the likes of grade 1 winners Two Emmys  and In Love .

Meeting for the first time Jan. 20 over firm Fair Grounds turf in the 1 1/16-mile Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes, Strong Quality took his customary position on the lead while Beatbox chased throughout in second. Beatbox inched closer down the stretch, but could not get by as Strong Quality took round one by a head.

On Feb. 17, a rematch ensued in the 1 1/8-mile Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T). This time Beatbox was able to sit back in fifth while others applied the pressure. Sliding through on the fence, Beatbox took advantage of the extra distance and softer course to turn the tables on Strong Quality by a neck.

Video: Fair Grounds S. Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3T)

They meet at the same distance for round three. Trainer Mark Casse makes a jockey change to John Velazquez for Strong Quality while Cherie DeVaux keeps Joel Rosario aboard Beatbox.

Potential Spoilers

The Muniz Memorial is hardly a two-horse race as 11 others will attempt to upend the latest showdown between Strong Quality and Beatbox:

• Johny's Fireball  battled the main rivals the entire stretch in the Fair Grounds and checked in third beaten only a half-length. Gigante  was also not far behind in fourth.
• Chad Brown poses a threat with his duo exiting the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park. I'm Very Busy  finished second, beaten a half-length. Adhamo finished 4 1/2 lengths behind in 10th, but receives class relief as he ends his streak of nine consecutive grade 1 appearances.
• Should Strong Quality receive too much pressure to overcome, Casse can pick up the pieces with grade 2 winner Webslinger , who receives Flavien Prat in the saddle for the first time.

The Muniz Memorial is race 10 with post time of 4:36 p.m. CT.